Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) via the Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies (FSPPP) is honoured to be an academic partner to the Faculty of Administration, University of Sarajevo, Bosnia, and Herzegovina (UNSA). UNSA is the beacon of higher learning institutions in Bosnia, consisting of 22 faculties, 3 academies and 5 research institutes. To commemorate the partnership and kick off the collaboration between UNSA and FSPPP, UiTM, the faculty organized a Guest Lecture session involving academics from both institutions. The lecture series is also part of FSPPP’s efforts in encouraging active engagement in academic discourse amongst its staff and students via its internationalization strategy.
The lecture series was held on the 16th and 17th June 2021, involving six academics, of which four were from FSPPP and the other two from UNSA. The esteemed Dr Emir Tahirovic, Assistant Professor cum Dean and Dr Amel Delic, Deputy Dean from the Faculty of Administration, represented the University of Sarajevo, Bosnia. Meanwhile, FSPPP was represented by Associate Profesor Dr Nor Hafizah Mohd Harith, Dr Aida Abdullah, Profesor Datuk Dr Nasrudin Mohammed and Dr Memiyanty Hj Abdul Rahim.
The sharing sessions revolved around policy implementation and public administration, considering ethical issues in administration. Also discussed was the topic of ratio analysis of financial statements, which is vital in the corporate sector and public agencies. The sharing and interactive dialogue between the two academic partners are essential for enhancing lecturers’ knowledge and enabling them to provide a deeper understanding of the theory-to-practice application of policies in a country for their personal growth and their students. One of the participants and a lecturer in the faculty stated, “All lectures were refreshing and insightful. It has given the participants a great opportunity in broadening their perspective of governmental activities in another country.”